Hydrogen planes of the future are equipped with detachable engines

French company H3 Dynamics recently presented a decentralised hydrogen propulsion solution for aviation. The concept is based on storing hydrogen in a series of propulsion nacelles under the wings. In terms of scope, H3 Dynamics says their solution can serve as a snap-on. “The next step is to increase the capability to fly a two- to four-passenger aircraft by the end of 2023,” the company writes in a press release.

It is often the case that pressure tanks containing refrigerated hydrogen are housed in the fuselage of the aircraft. This has direct implications for payload capacity. H3 Dynamics therefore does things a little differently: the company houses the tank as well as the fuel cell and engine in one module. Those modules are called the they distributed hydrogen electric propulsor. As a detachable engine, it can easily be placed under an aircraft, which also makes it a lot safer.

Airbus wants to build its own hydrogen engines for airplanes

European Airbus wants to build its own aircraft that can fly on hydrogen. The fact that the company is developing its own engines.

Autonomous application

H3Dynamics wants to market the decentralised propulsion concept for both manned and unmanned aircraft. “The plan is to start with autonomous applications, expecting that this will minimise regulatory and certification requirements,” so said CEO and founder Taras Wankewycz.